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'Meanderin' The "Decorate Your Home" contest it certainly one of the most successful types of competition ever sponsored locally. Pew cities, including- the surrounding area, can boast such beautiful display)) «s seen this Christmas time te McHenry. Youlfc carolers from fore COthmunity Methodist church spent last Sunday evening making their way through city streets, singing all of the favorite carols. An old fashioned custom which is enjoyed as much today as ft was centuries ago. In the Dec. 11 issue of the Boy* Town Times, them appears a notation on the ohoir returning from its seventh annual concert tour. In reporting its trip through midwestern, eastern and New England states and into Canada, the article began with a quotation carried in the Plaindealer concerning the performance here. Northern Illinois )Mt tt»_ ascond outstanding musical figure in a week's time with the untimely passing last Thursday of Clarence Olsen, band director at Woodstock high school for mere than a quarter o< a century.^ Mr. Olsen «u president of the festival directors' group planning the February annual county music event. His dettft will leave this outstanding presentation without the guidance pf an experienced and respected leader.---- Mft* tetary maffl^bl of THnlfcJ I hAniA An Pivoi>cirla Featured in tie fit! the ate _ college, HartfofrS, dbnn., afre thf works of a few selected atu dents. They include a contribu tion by Jacque HopVUi of Me Henry. The article on the count} brtich of the I.E.S.P.A., writter by Mrs. Kleanore Foley and M L. Schoenholtz of the McHenr> public schools mentioned previ ously in the Plaindealer, is re celving very favorable commen as a feature of the Decembei issue of Educational Press Bulletin. From Tacoma, Wash., came f Christmas card and messag< v sent by Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Rix On Dec. 28 the Rix family wil -go to Pacoima, Calif., where the) will remain for an extended va cation. They are anxious to sa? "Merry Christmas" to theii many friends here. Old friends have beard trpw Mrs. H. Graham Smith (the for mer Margaret Stenger), who included a clipping telling of hei silver-wedding anniversary celebration. The occasion also marked the wedding anniversary oi their son and daughter-in-law, the Daniel Smiths. At the same gathering, the Smiths announced the engagement of their daughter Sadilou. The Smiths have three other children also, Margo, Harold Graham, Jr., and Robert. The} reside in Old Greenwich, Conn. FM Radio * Television welcomed a huge crowd of friend; at the grand opening held Friday and Saturday in their new location on Riverside Drive. Even in the rush of the Christmas season, folks find time to extend a welcome to others who are contributing in making ours such a progressive little city. December 21 was not only the shortest day of the year from the standpoint of minutes, figured astronomically. Coming only four days before Christmas, Dec. 21 usually falls several hours short of the twenty-four we normally find adequate0*)) put to a day's work. 4' McHenry sports fans are lookforward to the four-parish basketball tournament which will be held in the local high school gym Sunday, Dec. 27, both afternoon and evening. MAUCH HOME WSPLAY WON HtSTPHZEM CONTEST; KABUFfL •' AMD RA110WE SCENES A1S0 WNNERS The unique and beautiful home display of the Norbert Mauchs on Allen avenue won first price in the non-commercial class of the holiday 'decorating contest sponsored by the McHenry Chamber of Commerce. For their efforts, the Mauchs win a twentyfive dollar cash certificate. The display, original in every detail, features a huge gold star which casta its rays far into the darlgpned sky. On the ground are two triangular settings, with familiar Bethlehem scenes in silhouette. The Ludwig W. Kaeuffl home 1ft the Country dub subdivision (formerly the Peabody residence) is equally beautiful as one looks across the golf course lagoon to see a huge simulated pipe organ, with trees on either side decorated only with a myriad of red lights. In front of the organ stand five choir boys. The third place award went to the Cecil BaUowe residence on Waukegan street, whicn also won a prise in last year's contest. The Ballowe home display depicted the lighter side of Christmas and was as lovely a sight as one could wish to see. Many Displays With well over fifty fine displays taken into consideration, the three judges had a difficult time in selecting-eight for honorable mention. After long deliberation, they agreed on the Alfred Leight home at 605 Allen avenue, Charles Br das on Maple $ venue, the Fred Bienapfls on Green street, the Alfred Tonyans an .Pearl street, the Henry Weber residence on Riverside Drive, the Charles Vycital home on ffliolmtt street, the Earl Don home on Riverside Drive. The . Winning displays were well divided between religious icenes and thos% which characterised the gay spirit of Christhas. Many other families are to be complimented on their holiday lighting and would be named if tpace permitted. Among commercial displays, Uie Edward Thennes home, with ts attractive scene and live deer,< von first place and second went .o the gaily lighted lawn of the Lieo Rothermels. 30UNTY CHURCHES COOPERATING IN CROP COLLECTIONS The churches of McHenry rounty are again cooperating in :he CROP (Christian Rural O- /erseas Program), the food distribution program of the National Council of Churches for overteas relief. , Chairmen have been appointed 'n most of the towhships of the county for the drive in which "hey hope to gather at least two carloads of corn during the Christmas holidays. With the assistance of the 4-H clubs of the county, gathering donations is expected to be a great morale >uU#r. for those in leed, NOTICE The McHenry State bank will be open Wednesday, Dec. 30, but will be closed all day Friday in abservance of New Year's Day. County Assessed Valuation Up I si-' ' Last week the abstract of assessments, compiled by the McHenry county board of review, was turned over to County Clerks Raymond P. Woods and figures revealed that the total valuation of all assessed personal property and real estate in the county had increased in 1953 over 1952 by $690,088. This is the highest valuation ever recorded In county history.' The total of all assessed property, excluding railroads, has been set at $44,425,583 as against 943,729,495 for 1952. A general increase in the assessed value of lands, lots and, real estate was noted, as well as» a slight decrease in personal! property. A comparison of thei assessed value Of the major* items for the two years is as follows: 1953: Personal property, $9,- 459,843; lands, $23,130,260; lots,; $11,835,480; grand total, $44,- 425,583. 1952: Personal property, 99,- 803,520; lands, 992,415,740; lots, $11,510,235; grand total, $43,- 729,495. Ten of the seventeen townships show decreases in assessed valuation while the other seven show Increases. Largest increases are shown in McHenry and Algonquin townships, where subdivisions have caused the figure rise. McHenry township, second largest, jumped from $6,007,900 in 1952 to 99.31*806 in 1963. Our Servicemen Gerald Long of Keesler Air Force base, Miss., is spending a Christmas leave with his parents. He will return Jto.etectJ'Qlk ics school in January, Glenn Huska reported to Fort Sheridan on Monday of this week after spending an emergency leave with his wife, the former Julia Knox, and his parents. Serviceman Huska, of McCullom Lake, came home recently from Korea to visit his veteran father, who has been hospitalized at Hines and was on the critical list at the time. He is reported to be much better at this time. Huska may be fortunate in being able to be home for the holiday, and after that will be sent to a camp not yet designs* ted. X. of C., sponsoring organization, hope to enlarge the content <n years to come. Grade school aged will be admitted free. children Former Police Officer Moritz pleasantly surprised the men "of the Plaindealer office Monday noon with the most elegantly arranged tray of Christmas treats you oould imagine. According to Thomis F. Bolger, tourney manager, Richmond, Johrsburg, St Mary's and St. Patrick's school wfU be repre- Silgted this year. - Members *f tha Shortly before noon our genial neighbor walked in the office with an array of fruit cake and cookies in one hand and a pot of steaming coffee in the other. The gleam in the eyes of the recipients should have warmed his heart as he carried out thftrue spirit of the season. f' Slenderizing diets don't seem to work any better now than they did when food was cheap - H i d p l e n t i f u l y > • 18TH DIVISION, GERMANY --Pvt. Karl N. Floer, whose wife. Elizabeth, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Floer, live In Spring Grove, recently arrived In Germany for duty with the 28th infantry division. The 28th division is undergoing intensive training as part of the NATO Army on guard in western Europe. Private Floer entered the Army last June and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. • NIEWIEBOWSKI RITES Mrs. Agnes Niewlerowski, 77, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 22, at the Villa Rest Home. She had been in poor health for several years. Mrs. Niewierowski was the mother of Mrs. Robert Stoller of McHenry, with whom she lived much of the time during the past four years. The body was taken to Chicago, where it rests at the chapel at 2500 N. Cicero avenue. Services will be held Thursday, with burial in St. Adelbert's cemetery. TAVERN VIOLATIONS A warning has been issued by the Village of Lakemoor president that the sale Of liquor to minors or any disturbances in taverns will not be tolerated. The liquor license of one Lakemoor tavern has been suspended for thirty days for violation of the liquor commission rules, effective Dee, SI;' " ' St. Mary's The beautiful interior of St. Mary's Catholic church will be enhanced to an even greater degree on Christmas when special services will be held in commemoration of the birth of the Christ ChUd. There will be a Midnight Mass, at which time the adult choir will sing the Exultate Deo Mass hy-r Ahrens. * Hie Proper" 61 the Mass will' be by Tozer. Other High Masses at St. Mary's will be sung at 7, 8:30 and at 10 o'clock. TTie girls' choir wiU lend their voices to music selected for the 7 " and 8:30 services. At the 7:30 Low Mass, hymns will be sung, by the young people. Other Low Masses will be at 11 and 11:30 o'clock. Confessions will toe heard Thursday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and at 7 in the evening. St. Patrick's The appearance of St. Patrick's church will be even more lovely than usual, with dim lights on trees surrounding the manger scene. Christmas plants will decorate the main altar. Many of the parish faithful will attend Solemn Midnight Mass, which will be preceded by the singing of "Silent Night, Holy Night." The adult choir will furnish music for the first Mass and has chosen Christmas Carol Mass by James A. Korman. At the offertory they will sing "Adeste Fideles" and at the close of tne Msss will he heard in "Angels We Have Heard On High." Another High Maac will be sung at 10 o'clock and there will be Low Masses at 7, 8, 9 and 11:30 o'clock. Confessions will be heard Thursday-morning from 10 to 11 o'clock, in -the afternoon from 2 to 5 o'clock and at 7 o'clock ^in the evening. SQon Lutheran The Christmas program of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School win be held Thursday evening, Dec., 24? at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The service will be opened with the singing of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" by the congregation, followed by recitations of the pre-kindergarten, beginners' and primary classes. "Away In The Manger" will be sung by the group of four classes, after which the choir will sing "Christmas Eve." Following the selection by the choir, there will be recitations by the pupils of the juniorsenior class, which is divided into three parts: Part I -- The Joy of Christmas in Promise; Part II --v The Joy of Christmas in Fulfillment; Part HI -- A Meditation on the Joy at Christmas, followed by the singing of "Silent Night, Holy Night." Christmas Day service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in Zion Lutheran church. The sermon topic selected is "Appreciate God's Christmas Gift" The choir will sing "Christmas Day -- Glory t» M." ; On Sunday, Dec. 27, a flftn, **Hply Night," will be shown to the Sunday School and the rewards for perfect attendance will be distributed. At the lu: 15 a.m. service, the Sunday School choir will sing two selections, "Let Us All With Gladsome Voice" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." On New Year's Day service W?ll be held at lfeJtS- a.m. A cordial invitation is extend ed to the public to worship during the holiday season. , Community Methodlat "Song of Glory," a play by the M.Y.F., will be presented at the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service of the Community Methodist church. This play takes place on Christmas Eve and attempts to answer the question, "What is the true meaning of Christmas?" A duet, "O, Holy Night," by Adam, will be sung by Phyllis Whitfield and Ruth Barger. The choir will sing "Star of the East" by Kennedy for its anthem. As per custom, the service will close with the traditional candlelighting ceremony. Also included in the holiday program will be an open house for college students and servicemen on 8unday evening, Dec. 27, from 8 to 11 p.m. at the parsonage. A New Year's Eve party held from 8:30 to midnight will feature the full-length comedy, "Sitting Pretty," with Maureen O'Hara and Robert Young. This will be followed by games, refreshments and a brief watch night service. Qirint thei King Christ the King Catholic church at Wonder Lake will be dccorated during the next two days in preparation for the three services planned for Christmas. , The first will be a Midnight Mass Christmas Eve, to be followed by Masses at 8:30 and 9 o'clock Christmas Day. The Midnight Mass will be preceded by thirty minutes of traditional carols sung by the children. The adult choir singing the Mass will be under the direction of Mrs. Robert Widen, who has chosen for her singers Marsh's setting of the Mass. Presiding at the organ will be John Van Kanegan, who will be playing for the first time on the newly installed organ. The children's choir will sing for the 8:30 and 9 o'clock Masses. There will be one Mass only on New Year's Day, at 9 a.m. Nativity Lutheran At one of the community's newest churches. Nativity Lutheran at Wonder Lake, a Communion service will be held at 7:30 on Christmas Eve. At 11:30 o'clock there will be a special candlelight service. Rev. Burton Schroeder will conduct the ceremonies. ? e Gospel Church. -v. Following a Sunday School festival and program last Sunday, Wonder Lake's Goftpel church is planning for a Christmas service at 10:30 o'clock on cmstmas morning, Dec.~25.Th* REPORT HOLIDAY DISPLAY VANDALISM OVER LAST WEEKEND In this Christmas' season, when: even the less sentimental are touched by the beauty of the meaning of the holiday, there remain a few who take delight in bringing unhappiness to others. Without doubt, McHenry and the surrounding area is more beautifully lighted and decorated this Christmas than ever before. Almost every home has at least some sign which gives evidence of the feeling of its residents for the spirit of the season. Two of the most attractive of all were the Robert Lent and George Barbian residences, both on Riverside Drive. That is, they were until last weekend. Sometime between midnight Saturday night and dawn Sunday, someone kidnapped the attractive Santa on the Barbian porch rail, had slashed the stuffed Santa at the Lent home, destroyed an angel doll and made away with a wagon which were also part of the display. Needless to say, both families were very disappointed on waking Sunday to find their displays destroyed. However, with good sportsmanship, Mrs. Lent and Mrs. Barbian began at once to restore the scenes to good order, making replacements which required a great deal of time. Endowed as they are with the real Christmas spirit, both families are sure to find some satisfaction in having been able to transmit, at considerable cost, some of that spirit to those who pass. SUBSCRIPTION AiAKCBIDCAl^ FOR LATE SHOPPING Have you stopped in McHenry's business districts and completed your Christmas shopping? If not, there is still ample time to -make those last-minute selections which will delight some person on your gift list. Or have you exhausted your list of suggestions and still find that you have that "hard to buy for" individual unaccounted for? If so, have you stopped to think just how much he would enjoy a weekly reminder of your generosity ? The gift we have in mind is as close as your telephone and will many times remind the receiver of your thoughtfulness. Especially if you know someone who has moved away and has lost contact with friends, will this gift bring pleasure. Call the Plaindealer today anf have a gift subscription sent in your name. NOVICE The Plaindealer will be printed two days early next week also. All news must be in the office by Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock, all classified ads will be accepted until noon on Monday and display ads until Saturday noon. Correspondents' copy must be received by Saturday noon. Anyone desiring an ad in the New Year edition must notify the Plaindealer office not later than Saturday noon, Dec. 26. pastor, Rev. Frank Anderson, will speak on the subject, "The Gift for All." There will also be special music. A candlelight service will be held Sunday evening, Dec. 27, with the young people in charge presenting an unusual program of Christmas music and brief talks. A social hour will follow the program, during -which time refreshments will be served. The annual watch-night service on New Yean's Eve will begin at 9:30 o'clock on the evening of Dec. 31. St. Peter's St. Peter's church at Spring Grove also will be decorated in keeping with this greatest day of the year. Midnight Mass will attract many parishioners and others will attend services at 8 and 10 o'clock Christmas morning. Music for the Midnight Mass will include the Missa de Nativitate, D.N.J.C., by J. Alfred Schahl, "Transeamus" by J. Alfred Schahl at the offertory and the familiar "Adeste Fideles" at the Communion time. As the crowds lfcave the church at the conclusion of the service, the choir will sing "O Holy Night." LAST REQUESTS TO SANTA HMO M NUMEROUS LETTERS SENT IY LOCAL YOUNGSTERS MRM6 WS "" '^V . I ",<A 'f di xi'v Kiddies hi the McHenry community this week sent in the last requests which will • be printed asking Santa for special items in their Christmas stockings. The letters are being printed just as received. ---- "Dear Santa: "I want a buggy and * Burse kit "Cynthia Lea Smith . "T6y» - "Donny Smith" Dear Santa, "I am 7 years old. I would a Tony doll aadding machiny a teddy bear, and a new skirt and two new dresses. I guess that's all "Love, ' • . • "Donna Low" "Dear Santa, "I am 8 years old. I would like a teddy bear. A soft mohair kitten. I would like a flashlight. A Hoppolong Cassady watch too. And a toy adding machlng. And big balls. "Love Patricia Low. "P.S. Please bring my sister PameLs a teddy bear too. Please*-- "Dear Santa "I am 4 years old. A nurse doll a book a box of candy. Love. "Susie Low" "Dear Seht*v:v >3 "I am 6 years old. I would like my two front teeth back. I weuAd Uke- a cewb.-ty salt. would like a book about a snow man. I would like a bottle of perfume. I guess that's ail. Love. "Linda Low "P.S. A nurse doll." "Dear Santa Clause t ' ^ "My name is Linda Cpfcrner. I live in McHenry, HI. I am 5 yrs. old. "I have been a little gnod and a little bad, but I will try to do better next year. Will you please bring me a walking doll or eny kind will do, a carrying case and a buggy and u Howdy Dnody doll. I will leave a piece of cake on the table for you. "Hoping you can make it for •Christmas. I am "Linda Frances Colomer "Box 180 Rt. 5, "McHenry, 111. -- "PUB. I have three little brothers please bring thorn ^nothing too." The next three letters came from the Balrd sisters and with them were included three sheets with answers which indicated they were sending Santi a sam pie of their school worlL "Dear Santa, "There are three ot girls in the Baird family. Our mother thinks that we have been pretty good girls and that you should visit our house this Christmas, if we continue to be so. "For our daddy we would like for him to get some new pants, and new shirts. "For our mother, we would like her to have a new dress and a lamp. "It would make i*s have a very, very happy Christmas if we could get just a little of our lists. "Have a Mery Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause and y helpers, and thank you. "From the Baird girls, "Cathy, April and Sandy "Cathy would like to get a pretty and big dolly, a little snow plow, doll house, bunny slippers, watch, cow girl suit, new dress, a penny bank and color book. "April wants a little dolly, a new dress, sticks, some toys, new bunny slippers, car, a sweater, a cow girl suit and a doll stroller. "Sandy wants new shoes, a new dress, a little baby doll, a toy telephone, a big doll, some toys and some pajamas. "Dear Santa "My daddy is writing this letter for me as I can't write yet.^ but I can color pretty good. Here are the things we want for Christmas for pa a new drill for ma a new iron and for my sister Ruth Ann a set ot 4tsfcaa and pots and pana. lfrert my brother Peter sole sK^M* and a teddy bear and for myself I would like a doll and some pajamas, dress, and shoes for the doll and some player for our record-changer an4 basket for school when I go next year and some color books and learning books so I will know a lot when I start to school next year. I hope you bring us all {his as we are good children. We have twelve stars for being end none for being bad. I take good care of my little brother for my ma. I also hope you look under our Christmas tree as ril leave some milk, cookies and a sandwich there for you. TO be a gbod girl in the future to Santa. Now it is time for me to put on my pajamas , "Tours, truly , - ^ ^ "Joy Forten "P.S. Merry Christmas sa# vroes noX <n JS»A jdilg "P.S. I also need stocking*. pretty bad." "Dear Santa, "1 have been a hnd have tried to help mother. 11 Would you please be good to all the poor little boys a£d gpcto. I would like to have a rJHfc#e«» $ and a little piano. Plean something for my 5 Jno. ald '1 brother. He would like aomi j rattlers, toys and a baby crib. Thank you dear Santa Cm ~ 7 > "All my love "Frances and BOly "Dear Santa Claus, "We are to small to writu at' Mommie is writing this for "Please bring us truck, plastic buttdfe farm set, trailor truck, doll buggy and rocking chair. "We have tried to be good but sometimes we are naugh$y. Don't forget Grandma Matche* and Grandpa Glosson. "Bobbie Matchen 7 years old "Bernie Matchen 5 years old "Suzanne Matchen 4 years old "P.S. We have moved, Crystal Lake Road.** "Dear Santa, * "We can't write yet as we ar« only 4 and 3 years Old so atmnmy is writing for us. Please bring us a trunk and a cash register snd any little thing you can find. Johnny is only 41 mdnths old but please bring him a toj? for his play pen. •Diane and Susan OeffUag'** "Dear Santa Claus, "I want to please have a play toy stove and a toy Ice box. Please may I have that. "Santa Claus. May my brother please have a electric train this year. "Love Skaron to Santa Cla-- "Dear Santa, "I am a little late with asy letter but I hope that you get IE in time to bring me a truck to deliver pigs to the market with, and also a tractor with the at* tachments. That is all J am asking for as I know there arw lot of other children who need toys. I watch your program every day on television and I tr^p to be a good boy. Hope U» aim you soon. "Gordon Bauer - i «*tt. 5 Box 484 " ^,1 **Mi:Henry. Ill* ' 4^* $ "Dear Santa, " v "My daddy Is writing iftr ss* Cindy' age 6, and my brother, Ralph age 4.' For Xmas I would like a 'Toni' doll with hair, rollpr skates and a little bathftsette for my dollie. My brother wants a car that the top and the trunk open, some holsters for his guns and an electric train. ta. we want to leave some and cookies for you but daddy says to leave a bottle of beer. We will have some carrots far your reindeers. 'fThank you and hops yotf wont jret too tired Xmas nit*. •Ralph and Cynthia Smith* 'Dear Santa "Please bring wm a doll and a two wheel hike. would Uke a little yappy ice skates. . o rL-r' •'-•ii&Ja^'StT'r V.. 'ji , 1 ' . v', x.% .1*'€i